Fresenius Kabi Launches Generic of Velcade

Fresenius Kabi has introduced bortezomib, a new generic equivalent to Takeda’s Velcade, which is indicated to treat adults with multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. The generic is available in a 3.5 mg per 10 mL single-dose for subcutaneous or intravenous use.

Multiple myeloma represents nearly 2% of all new cancer cases in the United States and is expected to double in 20 years. Mantle cell lymphoma represents about 5% of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnoses annually, and there are about 4,000 new cases each year.

Bortezomib for injection, along with other oncology medicines, is part of the company’s KabiConnect program, a recent expansion of its KabiCare patient support program that offers copay assistance to eligible U.S. patients. This program was launched in April 2022 to lower out-of-pocket costs to as little as $0 a month for eligible patients.

“Fresenius Kabi knows firsthand the value generic medicines play in creating more affordable access to vitally important cancer treatments,” Pere Berkowitz, vice president, oncology marketing, at Fresenius Kabi USA, said in a press release. “The introduction of the KabiConnect Copay Assistance Program extends our continuing commitment to support access to essential medicines for those patients with cancer.”